A family's sword of honor

Shen Xinpei might have been a writer or an official by now if he had submitted to his parents' wishes and finished school. But Shen chose to follow in the footsteps of his family of sword makers. "I can sense the liquid iron for sword molding flowing in my blood," says the 59-year-old master of the reputed Longquan Sword craft.

Looming large

CHENGDU: Chinese newlyweds once received a very special gift on their wedding night. Friends and family presented the couple with a brocade silk bedcover featuring a dragon (symbol of the male) and phoenix (female). But like many Chinese traditions, younger people are turning to modern styles. Duvets are more appealing to young couples.

Great Danes show sensuality and sincerity

Choreographer Tim Rushton and his dancers from the Danish Dance Theater will show Beijing audiences their unique understanding of modern dance at the PLA Theater this weekend.

Life Expat

Homecoming hangover?

There's no place like home - or at least that's what many expats in China believe. But upon returning to their native soil, repatriates often find home just isn't the same place they left, and they're not the same people who once lived there. "Reverse culture shock", or "re-entry transition stress", is often more severe and emotionally intense than culture shock, explains Dr Christopher Deal, president of Los Angeles, California-based consulting firm Deal Intercultural.

Thomas dreams of a fortunate night life

If Zhongguo translates as country in the middle, then Thomas Willie (pictured right) could well mean, man in the center. The multilingual Indonesian-born nightclub sales manager is fluent in Chinese, English and Bahasa and often holds court among a coterie of international friends.

Five ways to avoid a crash landing

Dr Nan Sussman, president of international HR and cultural-training company Global Strategies, offers five tips on successful repatriation.

Global Village

Memories of a lifetime

Life Travel

Privacy, relaxation and service that'll rub you the right way

Spa services have grown in popularity over the last few years. Even in the small community residence where I live in Beijing, there are five beauty salons that provide spa services. Though spas are mushrooming in every corner of the city, it was still a taboo for me.

Swimming in song

It is a little surprising to see the tourism scene flourishing in Zhaoxing, a small town located at the joint area of Southwest China's Guizhou Province, Central China's Hunan Province and South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Life Health